Minamiza Kabuki Theater, Kyoto

Slide into the southeast corner of Shijo-dori street鈥攋ust behind a popular noodle shop鈥攁nd you鈥檒l stumble upon the grand dame of Japanese theater: Minamiza. While it hosts a variety of performances, including the newest forms of live entertainment, truth be told鈥攌abuki is the main character here. We're talking full-throttle drama, wild costumes, and men playing everyone (yes, even the ladies). This colorful, dramatic genre of storytelling has been Kyoto's favorite spectacle since the early 17th century, and somehow, it never got old.

Back in the 1600s, kabuki fever ran wild鈥攖here were in total seven theaters around town. The shows were so popular they spilled out into the dry bed of the Kamo River, turning it into Kyoto鈥檚 liveliest (and dustiest) hotspot.

Four centuries on, Minamiza is the only survivor of time's relentless march鈥攂ut still flawless after all these years. While the original stage traces its roots back to the early Edo Period (between 1596 and 1615), the current building was completed only in 1929. In 1996, the theater earned the title of Registered Tangible Cultural Property, and shortly after, was also registered as a Structure of Historical Design in Kyoto. Renovated in 2018, she鈥檚 now even shinier, but still very much in her prime.

Tip:
To grasp the performed story in English, make sure to rent audio headsets ($7 apiece) and brace yourself for a three-hour-plus sit-down. Yes, kabuki is a marathon, not a sprint, but you can munch on your snacks during intermission.
And if you fancy souvenirs (like those actor postcards and other theatrical trinkets), grab them before the show or during intermissions, as concession stands close after the curtain falls.
Also, Kabuki is a hot ticket, so book early and expect to shell out $30 to $200, depending on your seat.
And while locals may show up looking like extras from a historical drama (dressing up for kabuki in a kimono is the norm), no one will bat an eye at your jeans鈥攕o long as you spare them the facepalm moment and leave your cargo shorts at home...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kyoto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Minamiza Kabuki Theater
Sight Location: Kyoto, Japan (See walking tours in Kyoto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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Walking Tours in Kyoto, Japan

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